Hoplite

For a Hoplite, the shield is an extension of the body.Hoplites find a myriad of creative
uses for the shield that goes beyond personal protection.
Using their bodies and minds to alter the flow of the
battlefield, Hoplites are known for being unstoppable units
in large conflicts. Whether it’s on the front lines pushing the
enemy back or in the back defending those helping from
afar, there’s rarely a position where a Hoplite’s shield and
knowledge of tactics isn’t sought out.

Formation

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, your skill with
a shield benefits those who fight alongside you. Whenever
an ally is adjacent to you while you’re wielding a shield,
that ally has half cover. In addition, you may use your action
to set yourself in a defensive stance. While in this stance,
allies adjacent to you have three-quarters cover until the
beginning of your next turn.

Absorbing Blows

Starting at 7th level, whenever you take damage from a attack while wielding a shield, you may subtract a
number from the total damage roll equal to the AC bonus
given by your shield. In addition, you may use your reaction
to take the damage of any attack that targets an ally
benefiting from your formation.

Tactician

Beginning at 10th level, you gain proficiency in History,
you gain advantage on any History checks to discern
the nature of a creature’s battle tactics, and you gain
advantage on Insight checks to discern whom an enemy is
most likely to attack.

Charge

When you reach 15th level in this archetype, your shield
becomes an offensive weapon. Whenever you move at least
10 feet toward a creature no more than one size larger
than you, you may use a bonus action to attempt to knock
it prone. The creature must succeed on a Strength saving
throw with a DC equal to 8 + your Strength modifier + your
proficiency bonus or be knocked prone.

One With the Shield

Beginning at 18th level, your familiarity with your shield
makes it feel like a part of your body rather than just a
tool. While in combat, you gain temporary hit points equal
to your shield’s AC bonus at the beginning of each of your
turns.